Ready....
Set....
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Not Freaking Out
As I typed the title to this post, it came to my attention that there is another post with this exact same title floating around this blog. I'll have to find it so I can remember what else I've NOT freaked out about.
Because, right now... I'm totally freaking out. I'm trying to pack but I keep stalling out, staring at the list and thinking that there HAS to be more to this whole thing than just running shoes, underware, shorts and a t-shirt. But that's it. As Stephan says repeatingly, "Shut up and put your shoes on."
Part of the challenge is that the race organizers are proving SO much of what we are used to packing, carrying, stashing, or wishing we brought with us. It's such a different run. Hopefully this means that thoe whole thing will be simple!!
Because, right now... I'm totally freaking out. I'm trying to pack but I keep stalling out, staring at the list and thinking that there HAS to be more to this whole thing than just running shoes, underware, shorts and a t-shirt. But that's it. As Stephan says repeatingly, "Shut up and put your shoes on."
Part of the challenge is that the race organizers are proving SO much of what we are used to packing, carrying, stashing, or wishing we brought with us. It's such a different run. Hopefully this means that thoe whole thing will be simple!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
On the list of things I shouldn't have done
About #4 is: watching this video of a car driving the entire 26 mile course... NOT for people who get carsick, or people who DON'T want to know how far 26.2 miles is...
Monday, April 25, 2011
5 days
Last night I started really planning the road-trip part of this run. I got chills and an adrenalin rush just thinking about it. There's a rental car involved... snacks... possibly a cab at 6am... Clothes to pack... baby stuff to pack... but oddly enough, very little running going on this week. If you've ever planned for something really big and life changing you know that the 'work' part of things usually ramps up to a hysterical pace right before it's over.
This resting is making me crazy. I keep thinking I need to prep more right now. Shouldn't I be running an 18 or a 20 this week? Nope. A 10? Nope.
The weather in Nashville is going to be another player over the weekend. It was 80+ degrees last weekend but I've purposely stayed away from weather reports lately. It really doesn't matter what the weather is. We still need to drink lots of water, dress to ward off the sun and keep the chill off, and of course, wear shoes and hats.
Stephan read this post over my shoulder and wants me to type, "It's a good thing I'm not obsessing." But I think I'm just being a good journalist. As with the move to Baker, I know I'll look back on this post one day an smile or laugh at how intense my brain got about the entire process.
This resting is making me crazy. I keep thinking I need to prep more right now. Shouldn't I be running an 18 or a 20 this week? Nope. A 10? Nope.
The weather in Nashville is going to be another player over the weekend. It was 80+ degrees last weekend but I've purposely stayed away from weather reports lately. It really doesn't matter what the weather is. We still need to drink lots of water, dress to ward off the sun and keep the chill off, and of course, wear shoes and hats.
Stephan read this post over my shoulder and wants me to type, "It's a good thing I'm not obsessing." But I think I'm just being a good journalist. As with the move to Baker, I know I'll look back on this post one day an smile or laugh at how intense my brain got about the entire process.
Friday, April 22, 2011
7
Days. This time next week Stephan and I will be sitting in a hotel room in Nashville, bellies full of carbs, legs well rested and toned and ready for the Big Race. This week is a really short running week. 3, 5, 3, 5. I'm skipping the 3 mile run for today because I did a bunch of squats yesterday accidently while taking a walk with Sawyer.
This is scary. For weeks and weeks we kept increasing the mileage. After the 20 I KNEW that the 26 was totally possible. But it's been two weeks since I've put in a distance run and I'm getting scared that I'll forget how to run a distance race. I already feel out of practice.
It's like we've spent all this time and sweat climbing up a gigantic mountain and now it's time to enjoy parachuting off the top of it. There's such a difference between the hard work of the climb, and the complete trust of the jump. I didn't expect this letting go to be so hard for me. I really thought I would feel relief.
Always something new!!
This is scary. For weeks and weeks we kept increasing the mileage. After the 20 I KNEW that the 26 was totally possible. But it's been two weeks since I've put in a distance run and I'm getting scared that I'll forget how to run a distance race. I already feel out of practice.
It's like we've spent all this time and sweat climbing up a gigantic mountain and now it's time to enjoy parachuting off the top of it. There's such a difference between the hard work of the climb, and the complete trust of the jump. I didn't expect this letting go to be so hard for me. I really thought I would feel relief.
Always something new!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Are we There Yet?
One week, two days. So... 9 days until the marathon. Today I ran 5 miles. When I put my shoes on I didn't even really think too hard about it. I stopped for the sunblock and the hat, but that was it. It wasn't epic. It wasn't challenging. It was "just" a five mile run.
In a lot of ways, I'm right where I want to be. I'm in a place where I can lace up and go out for a five mile run, walk in the door, take off my shoes and drink a glass of water while I make dinner. That's insane.
Crazy. But Awesome.
And while I typed this, a video played in the background that seemed, once again, to dwarf what I'm doing in a wonderfully inspiring way...
Check it out, but maybe have some Kleenex nearby.
In a lot of ways, I'm right where I want to be. I'm in a place where I can lace up and go out for a five mile run, walk in the door, take off my shoes and drink a glass of water while I make dinner. That's insane.
Crazy. But Awesome.
And while I typed this, a video played in the background that seemed, once again, to dwarf what I'm doing in a wonderfully inspiring way...
Check it out, but maybe have some Kleenex nearby.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The 20
I've been on a little bit of a haitus since last week's 20-mile run. It was mostly awesome. We were well-carbed, well-hydrated, the weather was nice (although a little warm for us), and we had our path all set up.
We ran the DuPage County Prairie Path again. It was about 70F, and sunny. We put sunblock on, but it sweat off in the first hour. The run was a simple 10 miles out, 10 miles back. Stephan packed Snickers bars, GU gels, and two bottles of water in a fanny pack.
I packed..... myself.
(Cute, no?)
We got to the 10 mile turn around and stopped at a 7-11. Stephan ran in to restock our liquids and I paced outside and ate my Snicker bar. Back on the trail I got heartburn really badly at mile 13. Really bad. I think it was because I had been drinking mostly sports drinks, and no water. Plus the Snicker bar. But I refuse to blame the chocolate.
So, mile 13 was where the wheels fell off. Way off. I stopped running. Stephan said it was ok to hurt, but we HAD to keep moving. I started crying. I didn't want to move. He didn't understand. Moving was a no-no. I didn't understand. We HAD to keep moving.
I didn't speak to him for the next 4 miles. But I moved my body those 4 miles. When we stopped at the bar for more whisky and water I perked up and started to feel amazing. We ended the 4 hour run at a fast(ish) 11:30 pace, with smiles on our faces.
So all this begs the question (and a poll! How long has it been since I've put a poll up here?)
We ran the DuPage County Prairie Path again. It was about 70F, and sunny. We put sunblock on, but it sweat off in the first hour. The run was a simple 10 miles out, 10 miles back. Stephan packed Snickers bars, GU gels, and two bottles of water in a fanny pack.
I packed..... myself.
We got to the 10 mile turn around and stopped at a 7-11. Stephan ran in to restock our liquids and I paced outside and ate my Snicker bar. Back on the trail I got heartburn really badly at mile 13. Really bad. I think it was because I had been drinking mostly sports drinks, and no water. Plus the Snicker bar. But I refuse to blame the chocolate.
So, mile 13 was where the wheels fell off. Way off. I stopped running. Stephan said it was ok to hurt, but we HAD to keep moving. I started crying. I didn't want to move. He didn't understand. Moving was a no-no. I didn't understand. We HAD to keep moving.
I didn't speak to him for the next 4 miles. But I moved my body those 4 miles. When we stopped at the bar for more whisky and water I perked up and started to feel amazing. We ended the 4 hour run at a fast(ish) 11:30 pace, with smiles on our faces.
So all this begs the question (and a poll! How long has it been since I've put a poll up here?)
Friday, April 8, 2011
Winner Winner!!
You guys know that I run with the Nike+ sensor in my shoe. It links with a receiver in my iPod which uploads to the Nike website and keeps track of all my stats. There is a whole Nike+ community that hangs out and does little competitions and stuff. I've entered into a few of them (never won) just to participate and have a little extra motivation.
Once in a while the Nike company sponsers a competition and offers prizes. I've done a bunch of these, but the one for March was actually a real challenge: 50 miles in 3 weeks. Luckily, we're training for this-here marathon and Stephan and I actually did run 50 miles in 3 weeks. Almost 2,000 people qualified for the drawing.
And then I got this in my email.
"Hi Nike+ Runner
Congratulations! You’re a Winner in the Nike+ ‘In Like a Lion’ Challenge on NikePlus.com!
As a result of your hard work, you’ve won a pair of Nike Lunar Haze running shoes that are compatible with Nike+!"
Once I replied to the email the following was posted the the Nike Running website:
I'm so excited!! I won something!! Not only that, but the shoes should be here a few weeks after the race, so it's an amazing reward for me!! La la la! Exciting!
Once in a while the Nike company sponsers a competition and offers prizes. I've done a bunch of these, but the one for March was actually a real challenge: 50 miles in 3 weeks. Luckily, we're training for this-here marathon and Stephan and I actually did run 50 miles in 3 weeks. Almost 2,000 people qualified for the drawing.
And then I got this in my email.
"Hi Nike+ Runner
Congratulations! You’re a Winner in the Nike+ ‘In Like a Lion’ Challenge on NikePlus.com!
As a result of your hard work, you’ve won a pair of Nike Lunar Haze running shoes that are compatible with Nike+!"
Once I replied to the email the following was posted the the Nike Running website:
I'm so excited!! I won something!! Not only that, but the shoes should be here a few weeks after the race, so it's an amazing reward for me!! La la la! Exciting!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Home Stretch
On Saturday, Stephan and I ran 18 miles. In a row. Outside. Together. 18 miles was pretty amazing. The day was beautiful, sunny, cool, some clouds... We ran on the DuPage County Prairie Path. We left from Elmhurst and ran West 3 miles, then turned around. We stopped to pee at a bar. We got back to the car and fueled up with some water and energy gel. We ran back out West 3 more miles, then stopped at a Quick Mart for water.
Here's the thing... we didn't have cash on us- just Stephan's credit card. And it turns out the guy had a $10.00 minimum on credit card purchases. So we picked up two Snicker bars... and... we couldn't eat or drink any more... we couldn't carry anything with us...
So we bought two air-plane bottles of Jim Beam and drank them in the store. Woot!!
We ran the next 3 miles out to I355 and turned around to head back the final 6 miles. With only 3 left to go, we passed the bar again, and Stephan had to pee again. So... this time we felt bad and wanted to buy something... so... another 2 shots of Jack Daniels!! We got a round of applause from the patrons at the bar, and finished the 18 very strong.
(Ok, maybe not really all that strong, I did quite a bit of whining during that last mile. My legs hurt, my arms were numb, I was getting cold, my feet hurt, etc. etc. etc. Stephan told me to consider staying quiet about all that. I replied that I would NOT suffer in silence.)
This week we're running 5, 10, 4, and twenty. The 20 is the longest run we're doing before the big party. After that, we have 2 weeks of "easier" runs, and then one little week before the 26.2. Wow. Woot!
Here's the thing... we didn't have cash on us- just Stephan's credit card. And it turns out the guy had a $10.00 minimum on credit card purchases. So we picked up two Snicker bars... and... we couldn't eat or drink any more... we couldn't carry anything with us...
So we bought two air-plane bottles of Jim Beam and drank them in the store. Woot!!
We ran the next 3 miles out to I355 and turned around to head back the final 6 miles. With only 3 left to go, we passed the bar again, and Stephan had to pee again. So... this time we felt bad and wanted to buy something... so... another 2 shots of Jack Daniels!! We got a round of applause from the patrons at the bar, and finished the 18 very strong.
(Ok, maybe not really all that strong, I did quite a bit of whining during that last mile. My legs hurt, my arms were numb, I was getting cold, my feet hurt, etc. etc. etc. Stephan told me to consider staying quiet about all that. I replied that I would NOT suffer in silence.)
This week we're running 5, 10, 4, and twenty. The 20 is the longest run we're doing before the big party. After that, we have 2 weeks of "easier" runs, and then one little week before the 26.2. Wow. Woot!
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